A 1-year-old boy is currently in a critical fight for his life after a near-drowning incident at a Miami home, which has sparked a significant backlash against the operation of illegal short-term rentals. According to a WSVN report, the young child was found in the pool of a residence on the 6200 block of North Miami Avenue, a property not registered for short-term vacation rental, violating local safety regulations.
Miami's Chief of Police Manuel A. Morales expressed his sentiments on the matter, stating, "I am filled with anger, heartbreak, and disappointment as we witness a child clinging to life and a family of tourists desperately holding on to hope," as reported by NBC6 Miami. The vacationing family, with the child celebrating 1 year and 7 months on the day of the incident, is coping with the tragic event that has underscored the city's crackdown on illegal short-term rentals.
The Miami Police have initiated an investigation, centering on the Airbnb operators' failure to adhere to necessary precautions that could have potentially averted the disaster; Miami-Dade County mandates barriers, covers, alarms, or latches for swimming pools used by young children. This enforcement comes along with the police's broader reminder to all families about the significance of preventative safety measures around pools.
Immediate attempts were made to save the child, "Our officers attempted CPR on the child. Fire rescue came. They took over. We assisted in the escort to the hospital," City of Miami Captain Freddie Cruz explained Friday, the child remains in very critical condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital as neighbors and authorities alike are now demanding accountability for the safety lapses and questioning the absence of preventative infrastructure around the pool area, with all eyes turned to the legal consequences the operators will face. Miami Police and Airbnb have been contacted for further details and statements regarding this incident, though responses are still pending.
